A law regulating the trade in corn, esp. its export and import.
In English political history the name is used specifically of the laws restricting the importation of cereals which were in force in the United Kingdom in the earlier part of the 19th c.; against these laws the Anti-Corn-Law Agitation arose in 1838, and they were repealed in 1846. (In this application usually spelt with capitals.)
1766. (title) Three Tracts on the Corn-Trade and Corn-Laws.
1777. J. Anderson (title), An Inquiry into the Nature of the Corn Laws, with a view to the new Corn Bill proposed for Scotland.
1823. W. Cobbett, Rur. Rides (1885), I. 405. The wise men of the newspapers are for a repeal of the Corn Laws.
1841. W. Spalding, Italy & It. Isl., III. 401. The Venetian corn-laws had two marked features.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, ‘The Times,’ Wks. (Bohn), II. 117. It adopted the League against the Corn Laws.
1868. Rogers, Man. Pol. Econ. (1876), 163. There has been … a regular annual rise in rent, since the repeal of the corn-laws.
Hence (nonce-wds.) Corn-law v., to impose corn-laws upon; Corn-lawing ppl. a., passing or supporting corn-laws.
1843. Emerson, Misc., Carlyle, Wks. (Bohn), III. 317. London and Europe tunnelled, graded, corn-lawed.
1843. Carlyle, Past & Pr. (1858), 188. Even corn-lawing Aristocracy.
